The FIBA Women’s World Cup is kicking off with a shocking blow to one of the top contenders: Chinese star Li Yueru, the Dallas Wings center, will miss the entire event. Why? Because her passport got lost in the mail and she could not get a replacement in time. Can you even believe it? This isn’t some minor injury, it’s a bureaucratic nightmare that has sidelined China’s leading scorer and rebounder from the 2024 Olympics.
A Gut Punch to China’s World Cup Ambitions
This is a massive hit for China. Li, a 6-foot-7 force, was absolutely expected to be their starting center. She’s been a staple on that national team for almost a decade. Remember the 2022 World Cup? She led China to a silver medal, putting up 19 points and 12 rebounds in the Final against the United States. That’s the kind of clutch performance they’re losing. Li took to Instagram to share the heartbreaking news, saying, “Unfortunately, my passport was lost in the mail and still hasn’t been found. …maybe we were just a little short on luck this time. As of today, the passport is still missing.” It’s truly a nightmare scenario for any athlete, especially one so vital to their team’s success. Losing her means a huge blow to China’s chances of getting back onto that World Cup podium.
Emerald City Remembers a Champion
For fans in the Emerald City, the news stings a bit extra. Li Yueru isn’t just a star on the international stage; she’s played for our very own Seattle Storm! While she’s been with the Chicago Sky, Los Angeles Sparks, and spent the last two seasons with the Wings, her time wearing the green and yellow means we know firsthand what kind of talent China is missing. She just won a championship this season in Unrivaled with Mist BC, playing alongside legends like Breanna Stewart, so the woman knows how to win. China still has size with 7-foot-3 Zhang Ziyu and 6-foot-9 Han Xu, but you can’t replace Li’s experience and impact.
China faces the United States this Friday for their first game. Without Li Yueru, they’re going to have to dig deep right from the jump. You just hate to see a player miss out on a massive tournament for something completely out of their control. As Li herself said, “Sometimes, disappointment is simply part of life.” It is, but man, this one hurts. We’ll be watching to see how they adapt.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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